Spain satisfied with US explanation on NSA spying: PM
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Monday after meeting with US President Barack Obama that Spain had received a "satisfactory" explanation of reports that American spies bugged European leaders' phones.
14 January 2014 13:52
Rumoured affair turns messy for France's Hollande
French President Francois Hollande's political and personal woes deepened on Sunday after it emerged that his girlfriend had been rushed to hospital following a report he has been having an affair with an actress.
13 January 2014 14:14
Iran's Zarif to visit Syria ahead of peace talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is due to travel to Tehran ally Damascus in the next few days, media reported Sunday, amid preparations for a Syria peace conference.
Israel unveils 1,800 settler homes after Kerry visit
Israel unveiled plans Friday for more than 1,800 new settler homes in a move the Palestinians said was aimed at forcing Washington to abandon its Middle East peace drive.
'Je suis le sexy chien!': UK papers lap up Hollande scandal
British newspapers on Saturday leapt on allegations that Francois Hollande is having an affair with an actress, splashing the story over the front pages and poking fun at the French president.
Malaysia, Turkey aim to conclude free-trade deal
Malaysia and Turkey pledged Friday to wrap up a free-trade deal this year as embattled Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepared to return home to a political crisis.
10 January 2014 13:44
French magazine reveals Hollande 'affair' with actress
French magazine Closer on Friday said President Francois Hollande was having an affair with actress Julie Gayet, promising to back its claim with photographs after months of swirling rumours.
10 January 2014 12:13
Russia blocks new UN Syria statement
Russia on Wednesday blocked a British-drafted UN Security Council statement condemning the Syrian government attacks on the city of Aleppo, diplomats said.
09 January 2014 16:19
Obama invites Merkel to Washington after phone-tap row
President Barack Obama invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington on Wednesday, hoping to mend fences after a row provoked by revelations of US eavesdropping on her cellphone.
Morsi arrives in court for new hearing in murder trial
Egypt's deposed president Mohamed Morsi arrived at the courthouse on Wednesday for the second hearing in his murder trial, as police braced for rallies by his Islamist supporters.
08 January 2014 14:52
Japan PM to visit Africa, Mideast with cash pledge: reports
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Africa and the Middle East this week, reports said Monday, bearing development cash pledges as Tokyo pushes back against growing Chinese influence in the resource-rich region.
Harry Potter wizard invoked again as Japan hits back at China
The diplomatic bickering between Japan and China has descended into name-calling in the British press, with claim and counter-claim by the countries' ambassadors invoking the fictional evil wizard of the Harry Potter series, Lord Voldemort.
06 January 2014 13:51
Obama proposes new gun rules for mentally ill
The Obama administration proposed two new federal gun control rules Friday to ensure more information about the mentally ill reaches background check databases, after a series of high-profile US shootings.